Tezepelumab is an investigational human IgG2 monoclonal antibody. It binds to TSLP to prevent TSLP-receptor interaction. [4] This mechanism prevents the release of cytokines via immune cells targeted by TSLP early in the inflammation cascade. [5] It has been suggested that tezepelumab could be an adjunct therapy for patients with a history of asthma exacerbations and uncontrolled asthma who have failed previous therapies. [6]

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tezepelumab in patients whose asthma remained uncontrolled despite previous treatment with long-acting beta-agonists and medium-to-high doses of inhaled glucocorticoids

Study Groups

Low-dose tezepelumab 70 mg subcutaneously every four weeks group (n=145), medium-dose tezepelumab 210 mg subcutaneously every four weeks group (n=145), high-dose tezepelumab 280 mg subcutaneously every two weeks group (n=146), and placebo controlled group (n=148)

Methods

Inclusion criteria:

– 18-75 years of age

– current nonsmokers (≥6 months and with a lifetime history of < 10 pack-years)

– diagnosed with asthma that was not well controlled despite treatment with long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) and a medium-dose (250 to 500 mcg/day of fluticasone) or high-dose (greater than 500 mcg/day of fluticasone) inhaled glucocorticoids for at least six months prior to enrollment

– history of at least two exacerbations which led to treatment with systemic glucocorticoid or a severe exacerbation which led to hospitalization within the 12 months prior to entering the trial

– prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of minimum 40% and maximum of 80% of the predicted normal value

– use of any immunosuppressive medication within three months prior to visit one

Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive one of the study treatment groups. They were stratified based on their location, blood eosinophil count (greater than or equal to 250 cells per microliter or less then 250 cell per microliter), and the dose level of inhaled glucocorticoids (medium or high based on GINA 2012 guidelines). Those receiving oral glucocorticoids as part of their maintenance regimen were assigned to the high-dose inhaled glucocorticoid section.

Baseline measurements were obtained at the 5-week screening period. At week 52, the annualized rate of asthma exacerbations was evaluated with each group compared to the placebo group. Asthma exacerbations were defined as a worsening of asthma symptoms that led any: use of systemic glucocorticoids, doubling of dose for three or more days, a visit to the emergency room (ER) that required systemic glucocorticoid treatment, or an in-patient hospitalization due to asthma. At week 52, the same measurements taken at baseline were repeated to notate any changes from baseline.

The calculated sample size was 138 to detect a 40% difference in the primary endpoint with 80% power. Expected drop out was 10% and two-sided alpha was set to 0.1. A two-sided alpha level of 0.1 was established, and 10% loss of information was expected due to drop outs. The order of hierarchy was placebo versus high-dose tezepelumab, placebo versus medium-dose tezepelumab, and placebo versus low-dose tezepelumab.

Duration

52 weeks

Primary Outcome Measure

The annualized rate of asthma exacerbations (events per patient-year) at week 52

Baseline Characteristics

Table 1: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics in the intention-to-treat population

‡ The body-mass index is the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.

§ Scores on the six-item Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6) range from 0 to 6, with lower scores indicating better disease control. A score of 1.5 or more indicates uncontrolled asthma.

¶ Scores on the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (standardized) for persons 12 years of age or older (AQLQ[S]+12) range from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating better asthma-related quality of life.

‡ A serious adverse event was defined as an event that resulted in death, was life-threatening, required inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, resulted in persistent or clinically significant disability or incapacity, was an important medical event, or resulted in a congenital anomaly or birth defect (in the offspring of the patient).

§ Shown are events that occurred in at least 5% of the total group of patients who received tezepelumab.

Study Author Conclusions

Among patients whose asthma remained uncontrolled despite previous treatment with LABAs and medium-to-high doses of inhaled glucocorticoids, those who received tezepelumab had lower rates of asthma exacerbations than those who received placebo, independent of base eosinophil count or other Th2 biomarkers.

The FEV1, ACQ-6, AQLQ, and the asthma symptom scores were utilized to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tezepelumab to produce reliable and reproducible assessment outcomes. It is stated that the possible benefits of tezepelumab’s upstream therapeutic drug targeting mechanism were demonstrated through the reductions in annual asthma exacerbations rate that were independent of baseline eosinophil count or other Th2 biomarkers. [7] The study is limited by its failure to assess multiple factors that may affect patient compliance, including self-administration of an injection, complicated dosing schedule, and financial cost associated with human monoclonal antibody injections. Additionally, the duration of study may be inadequate to assess the long-term safety and infection risks associated with tezepelumab. Despite these limitations, tezepelumab demonstrated benefit in patients suggesting it may be a viable adjunct therapy for uncontrolled asthma.